Fraud, Embezzlement, Bad Checks credit card fraud

I used my friends credit cards and ran them up over $20,000.00. I told her what I did and she contacted the card companies and told them that she did not make these transactions. She did not tell them it was me. What can I do to make things right with these companies? I want to pay them back without being arrested. I never did anything like this before. I just resently found out that a medication that I am taking, Meripex, causes irrational behavior. It cause Compulsiveness in a person's behavior. All I know is that I never did anything like this before and just want to find out where I stand legally.

berneagle54 said:

I used my friends credit cards and ran them up over $20,000.00. I told her what I did and she contacted the card companies and told them that she did not make these transactions. She did not tell them it was me. What can I do to make things right with these companies? I want to pay them back without being arrested. I never did anything like this before. I just resently found out that a medication that I am taking, Meripex, causes irrational behavior. It cause Compulsiveness in a person's behavior. All I know is that I never did anything like this before and just want to find out where I stand legally.

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Without knowing more... you might be more compulsive as a result of medication but that does not necessarily excuse what you did. I can't advise you personally without details. You may wish to seek counsel. I'll tell you what I think below.

Your best situation is probably to make restitution of the entire amount to the credit card company because problems will be on their way, otherwise. You may want to speak to your friend, if this person is still your friend, about being able to pay it off and this matter can be dropped since she does know who did it. What did she tell the company?

Eventually you should hope to get a release from them or for your friend to simply send the money and say that she realize who did make the charges and the matter is done. Payment has been made and that's all anyone will likely care about.

FYI, I had a friend who suffered from manic-depressive disorder. He charged much less than you did on a relatives card who was unsympathetic. Unfortunately your friend will have to make a decision with regard to responsibility. He didn't have the money at the time and was charged with and convicted of a felony. I have no idea whether or not you can plead some type of defense but I highly doubt you'll get the benefit of sympathy from any judge.

Good luck with this.

thank you for your response. I guess I am going to be charged because these is no way I can pay this off in on lump sum. My friend told the card company that she didn't make the charges and didn't know who did and they are investigating once they get the form back from her. She hasn't sent it in yet because it hasn't come in the mail. What would happen if she called them back and told them she knew who did it and will take care of it herself?

Nobody can say for sure what will happen. But I am guessing that if you paid for items mail order that were shipped to you, someone will easily be able to track down who used the credit card.

Your friend will likely need to file a theft report. If she doesn't, she would be responsible. If your friend said that she realized the charges were authorized, then she would be able to stay any criminal investigation but would be personally liable for the entire amount of the debt. Your friend would have to agree to finance this entire problem. If she is late on one payment and must pay interest charges, they will also be her responsibility and become a black mark on her credit report.

There is no easy way out of this. If I were you, I'd try to find a solution of how to come up with the money quickly. If you need to, sell what you can and figure out a way to come up with the rest. I have no idea what you could have purchased for over $20,000 and would be surprised if there is nothing left to show for it.

I used the cards for cash advances and gambled the money away...thus the compulsive behavior problem. It was a revolving door of trying to win the money back which didn't happen. There is nothing to sell....
thanks for the advice

berneagle54 said:

I used the cards for cash advances and gambled the money away...thus the compulsive behavior problem. It was a revolving door of trying to win the money back which didn't happen. There is nothing to sell....
thanks for the advice

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I'm very sorry to hear. Drives me crazy when I hear about the promotion of gambling and "regulation" - as if people who do have problems are actually given a chance not to fall prey to their own demons.

I think you will need to consult with an attorney eventually and I think sooner rather than later - especially since this will also involve your friend. Will you get lucky that this might be a "write off"? I don't know. It's a dangerous game. Your friend will have to sign some paperwork. You might want to speak to someone professionally, both for legal reasons and personal. I'm very sorry and wish there was more I could say.

I might have missed it... but from what you say it sounds like you have not been contacted by law enforcement. If that is the case, you don't have to do much of anything until you are.

These companies will frequently just write off the losses that the card holders dispute, but they won't let $20,000 slide by. They will investigate, and if you did this at a casino of some sort there is LOTS of video with you on it.

If you can't repay with money, you will pay with time. This isn't a slap on the hand sort of offense.

Also- your fiend may be in hot water. Your friend was asked, or will be asked, or will sign papers indicating that all available information has been provided. If it is discovered that your friend has covered up your crime at the expense of the credit company, your friend could potentially face criminal charges as well.

Prevent Credit card fraud

Card Not Present Fraud

CNP fraud is among the fastest rising category of fraud. The main reason for this is that it is becoming much harder to commit fraud in person, especially with the introduction of Chip and Pin. As online credit card fraud increases there are some measures that all merchants can take to ensure their associated costs of being exposed to online credit card fraud can be reduced.

● Call back customers to confirm orders. Although this is also a cost center, it could be used as a technique when the transaction appears somewhat out with the ordinary

● Pay attention to transactions where the delivery address and cardholder address are different

● AVS or CSC verification doesn't remove risks 100% but it removes the ability for fraud to be done base solely on acquiring account details with out having the credit card in person.

Card Present Fraud

Card Present Fraud has become increasingly hard to commit, and as a result it is no longer associated with being a white collar crime as is often the case with CNP fraud. Despite this, face to face or swiped card fraud can still be an issue which retail merchants still have to deal with. Following certain protocols can help to limit the chances of you being affected, and ensure that your business is refunded by following the correct procedures.

● Train employees to be on the look out for people who appear nervous or uncomfortable. They should not confront then based on that alone, but they should certainly be discreetly vigilant when they do.

● Check that the card number that is embossed matches the card number on the receipt. Pay particular attention to the last 4 digits if this has to be done discreetly and promptly. If they are different then it is important to act. In situations like this it is likely that skimming has taken place.

Finally, large orders from overseas countries with US Billing address are almost always fraud so it's better to have these customers pay via western union or bank wire. Many times fraudsters will order a large order using a stolen credit card and by the time you've discovered the card is stolen you already shipped the order.

Thanks for the tips martin

I used my friends credit cards and ran them up over $20,000.00.

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How good of a friend is she? What is her current financial situation? You may wish to consider her claiming bankruptcy. It may or may not be feasible depending upon her situation, yet it is something to consider. This may cause a temporary financial blow for her, yet would eliminate the legal mess for you.

FlaRiptide,

ARE YOU INSANE? that's pretty much the dumbest advice I've ever heard on these forums.

Bankruptcy as a temporary problem? It lasts on your credit report for 7 years. This person would have to lose more than just $20k. She'd have to hire lawyers, etc. . . .

Just really, stupid advice. I don't comment on these forums here that much anymore, but I had to say something.

FlaRiptide said:

How good of a friend is she? What is her current financial situation? You may wish to consider her claiming bankruptcy. It may or may not be feasible depending upon her situation, yet it is something to consider. This may cause a temporary financial blow for her, yet would eliminate the legal mess for you.

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Not at all... her declaring bankruptcy would settle her financial problems, however it in no way whatsoever would eliminate what are likely several felony offenses that the OP committed. He would still be held responsible for the theft/fraud, arrested and convicted.